THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE

Maroons Open Noha Era With 34-18 Win

Thanks to a big second half scoring surge, the Menominee Maroons made the coaching debut of Joe Noha successful with a 34-18 win over visiting Antigo Friday.

Displaying plenty of offense in the win, the Maroons overcame a 12-7 third quarter deficit by scoring 27 points in the final two periods.

This was a nice way to start the season and in the end our kids played Maroon football, where they proved to be very resourceful and persevered. Antigo was an excellent opponent and our kids found ways to make plays and get the job done down the stretch, Noha said.

In the high scoring affair, the Maroons owned the edge in total yards 399-392 with 204 coming on 44 rushes and 195 through the air.

Tailback Sam Schewe, who stands 58 and weights 160 pounds, sparked the Maroons with 116 yards in 23 rushes and 2 scores while connecting on 13 of 18 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown.

Our defense was kind of a bend but dont break. Other than two big plays that Antigo scored on, we played pretty good defense...two interceptions and a blocked punt. Offensively we moved the ball, but Antigo pretty much put 10 guy on the line of scrimmage and we had to be patient. Schewe had a nice game...went over the century mark running and passing the ball, directed traffic as our tailback and was a great leader, Noha added.

Defenses stole the show in the first half as both teams registered one score.

The Maroons took a 7-0 first quarter lead when Schewe blasted in from a yard out. The key play in the drive saw Schewe hit Bryan Hinges on a 29 yard pass inside Antigo territory. Evan Pohlman booted the first of 4 extra point kicks for a 7-0 lead with 3 minutes left in the frame.

Antigo came back in the second frame when quarterback Matt Wolter scooted in from 3 yards out for a 7-6 score.

After the halftime break, the Red Robins went up 12-7 on the first play of period three when Wolter scampered 80 yards to paydirt.

Menominee quickly answered as Jared Rivard hauled in a 47 yard scoring strike from Schewe. Pohlmans kick put the Maroons on top 14-12.

The Maroon defense came up big on the next possession as Jason Kaster blocked a punt with Devon Harris returning it to the one yard line. Chris Briar blasted in for the score and a 21-12 edge (8:36).

The lead grew to 28-12 just 46 seconds into the fourth quarter as Rivard raced in from 25 yards out on fourth down.

Thinking they were in the clear, Menominee saw Antigo make things interesting on a 62 yard pass from Wolter to Josh Hale for a 28-18 game.

Looking to run time off, the Maroons padded the lead to 34-18 when Schewe blasted in from a yard out.